Livestock Judging game and method

ABSTRACT

A method of conducting livestock judging games is provided which utilizes visual images of animals, such as livestock, and can be presented to, and played by, players in multiple geographies by utilizing a plurality of communication media, including the Internet, electronic mail, printed material, and other means. The method of conducting said livestock judging games consists of 5 primary elements: (1) displaying images of animal(s) to players, and providing to players the specific criteria which players are to utilize when judging one or more animals on a game-specific basis, (2) providing multiple means for players to judge said animals and, after doing so, enter their ranking designations into a central database, (3) providing means for player scores to be calculated in correspondence with each of multiple livestock judging and evaluation activities provided, and storing said scores in a centralized database, (4) providing means to communicate game results to players, and (5) providing means to award prizes to players. Various individual games are provided that are played by utilizing the method elements described above.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of knowledgeand skill based games, and particularly to a method of conductingcompetitive livestock judging games by utilizing a plurality ofcommunication media, including the Internet, electronic mail, printedmaterial, and other means, including any combination of thecommunication media described above. In another aspect, the presentinvention relates to a method of conducting competitive livestockjudging games, utilizing a said plurality of communication media, thatcan be presented to, and played by, players in multiple geographies inwhich players judge the images or other representations of animalsaccording to specified criteria, and make selections or rankingdesignations based upon such evaluations, and are then scored or awardedpoints according to the accuracy or appropriateness of their selectionsor designations. In the preferred embodiment, the Internet is thecommunication medium through which said livestock judging games areplayed, but other means of communication, or combinations thereof, mayalso be utilized. The present invention uniquely incorporates the use oflivestock images, instead of the physical presence of livestock,involving players in a multiplicity of livestock evaluation activities,according to predetermined rules and objectives which are similar, inmany material aspects, to actual livestock shows or instructionalseminars designed to teach livestock judging.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Traditional livestock judging continues to be a popular activitytoday. Animals are transported to a common location where the livestockshow is held, and judges visually compare and judge the live animalsbased on a variety of criteria. Recently, a few entities have utilized acombination of certain print and electronic communication means tofacilitate livestock judging by participants located in remotelocations. Some of these entities have also used the Internet to displayphotographs and biographical information about the individuals who serveas “official” judges of the animals. One known entity has used theInternet exclusively to both display animals and allow viewers to rankthe animals by selecting their choice from a menu of choices.

[0003] However, no entity is known to have progressed beyond this pointof sophistication. Thus, the present invention describes the first knownlivestock judging games and livestock judging website that combines thedisplay of livestock images with an interactive database that allows theinput and archiving of each player's livestock placements (rankings),and calculates each player's score for each game in which playerparticipates, as well as calculating and storing the cumulative scorethat each player maintains over some time period, and allowing eachplayer to check his or her scores online and view the award(s), if any,relating to a specific game and dated event. In combination with thenovel features described immediately above, the present inventiondescribes the first known livestock judging games or website thatarchives official judge placements and comments relative to each gameand specific event, and allows players to view current and archivedplacements and comments made by official judges. Additionally, thepresent invention includes several novel livestock judging games thatare unlike any previous known livestock judging activities or games.None of the related art described below is known to be patented or havea patent pending.

[0004] In 1997, the Gelbvieh World, a cattle breed publication producedby the American Gelbvieh Association, published photographs of a classof four cattle and invited readers to “place” the cattle first throughfourth, based on apparent superiority of each relative to the otherthree animals. The ranking made by an official judge, as well as theofficial judge's comments, were printed elsewhere in the samepublication. Readers who went through the exercise of placing the cattlein the group were not provided with any opportunity to win any prizes,recognition or awards, nor the opportunity to convey their placementchoices to the magazine publisher.

[0005]Hoard's Dairyman, a dairy industry magazine, advertises that ithas been conducting dairy animal judging contests through its magazinefor many years. The magazine may use its associated website,www.hoards.com, to promote judging contests that are being conducted viathe magazine, however, the company does not utilize the Internet toconduct its judging contests.

[0006]Beef Magazine published a “Beef Quality Challenge” in the Octobereditions of the magazine in both 2000 and 2001 that displayedphotographs of beef cattle and provided the address of a website that,if accessed, also showed photographs of the same animals, as well ascontest rules. Although multiple animals were shown both years, thecontest was not patterned after a conventional livestock judgingcontest. Rather, it required participants to select a small number ofcattle (from a larger group of cattle) that would be expected to performthe best, based on certain criteria. Magazine and website viewerswishing to participate in the judging contest could communicate theirlivestock ranking assignment entries by utilizing regular mail,electronic mail, and facsimile. The magazine also reported that entriescould be made via a corresponding web page at www.beef-mag.com, implyingthat participants could, therefore, enter their selections through thewebsite. In reality, the website directed people interested inparticipating to send their entries via electronic mail to the projectcoordinator by actuating the website's automated link to an electronicmail address of the project coordinator. Thus, participant animalselection entries could not be captured, stored or analyzed through anyelectronic database directly connected with the website.

[0007] The University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vt., operates anInternet web page at www.uvm.edu/˜jagilmor/judging/judging.html thatdisplays photographic images of groups of dairy cows, four animals pergroup, and shows multiple views of each cow. The web page allows viewersto compare the images of any two cows, and rank, or “place” the animalsin the group from the first through fourth. The four-animal classrepresents the standard class size in the field of livestock judging.This site represents a basic example of a conventional class of dairycows as they would normally be judged live. The site is operated foreducational purposes and does not provide for competitive judging byplayers. Despite allowing players to select their placements of theclass from a menu displaying all possible combinations of placementchoices, once a player has made a selection, no database was operable tocapture that data and calculate a score or archive player placements.

[0008] An Internet web page is operated by Utah State UniversityExtension athttp://utahreach.usu.edu/boxelder/ext/4-h/cyberjdg/cyberpg.htm thatdisplays images of different classes of animals among different species,including cattle, hogs, and lambs, as well as different types of meats.This site allows users to view classes of animals and their officialplacements. Site users may download a “livestock judging scorecard”program to their personal computer (pc). The site indicates this program“provides an easy way to calculate livestock judging scores.” Theprogram, when executed, allows a user to enter placements for a class,enter official placements, and enter the basis of grading or “cuts,”which are the numeric score reductions for incorrectly placing oneanimal over another. Once this information is entered, the program,which is executed by the user's pc, calculates the theoretical scorebased on the inputted data. The site has an link entitled “View yourscore and placings,” which is not operable. User's may enter theirplacements in the body of an e-mail and send it to the game operator.The game operator indicates scores are “no longer” provided back to theuser. Thus, this web page also does not provide for interactive playerplacement entry, automated score calculation or archiving of playerplacements.

[0009] Lake Land Junior College, Mattoon, Ill., advertises that itdisplayed images of classes of livestock for judging purposes duringDecember, 1997, on an Internet web site entitled “Virtual LivestockJudging Contest,” located at www.swine.net/vljc1.htm. The web page didnot provide any competitive games, but indicates that it would allowplayers to place animals in a class by selecting a placement choice froma menu of possible placement combinations. This feature was not operableduring the numerous times the website was visited. The web page providesbiographical information about the official judges. The web pageadvertises, but does not actually enable, player placements to be“entered.” No database was evident to capture or store player livestockplacements or calculate scores.

[0010] Another Internet website with the web address of www.mycattle.comallows a player to play interactive games of poker and blackjack againstthe “house” with virtual “cowchips” as poker chips. The website does notaward any prizes to winners. It does keep a temporary record of playerand dealer scores as long as the game continues, but does not archivescores after a game round has ended. The site does not offer anylivestock judging activities.

[0011] An Internet website, indicating located at the addresswww.showdairygoats.com enables goat judging. Viewer placement of theoffered classes is accomplished by clicking on a picture of a goat,which directs the viewer into an electronic mail addressed to the gameoperator. The viewer can type his or her personal placement choices inthe body of the electronic mail letter. A judge's placement of theanimals is displayed along with reasons the judge used to place thegoats within the class. Again, the site does not provide for any entryor storage of player selections via an interactive database, nor does itprovide player scoring calculations. Additionally, the site does notaward any prizes to viewers who place animals.

[0012] An Internet website located at the address www.dogshow.comenables virtual dog showing and judging. Viewers of the site are notenabled to participate in judging activities. Only official judges,designated by the game operator, judge the animals. Contestants sendphysical or digital photographs of their dogs to the game operator alongwith an entry fee, and the game operator may include the dog(s) in agiven show. Designated judges view pictures of the dogs in a class andthen place the class. Since viewers are not given the opportunity toplace animals, no viewer scores are recorded. Prizes may be awarded tothe owner(s) of a winning dog or dogs in a class.

[0013] No known livestock judging game or contest has fully enabledlivestock judging via the Internet alone. The most advanced of the otheranimal judging or showing web sites have not progressed beyonddisplaying classes of animals and providing some means of ranking theanimals, either on the website or via electronic mail or other means. Noprior livestock judging game has accepted player registrationinformation and player animal class placements into an interactivedatabase that is integrally part of the web site. Moreover, no previouslivestock judging game has had an integral database that automaticallycalculates player scores and archives each player's animal placementsand scores. The present invention allows players to view their scores inconjunction with each game played, as well as longer terms chartsdisplaying a player's scores and related statistics over time. Thepresent invention is also the first known livestock judging website thatallows players to both read and hear the official judge's animalplacement reasons by allowing players to access a pre-recorded audioclip of the judge's comments. There are also no other competitivelivestock judging games in existence which provide unique individuallivestock judging games such as those described in the claims section ofthis invention under the headings of “Keep or Cull,” “Pick Traits,”“Match Attributes,” “Scale Characteristics,” and “Fix It Shop.”

[0014] An additional novel component of the invention is the automatedelectronic score calculation for traditional classes of four animals, aswell as other group sizes. When a player has completed evaluating aclass and places the animals within the group, this invention enablesany possible combination of player numeric placements to beelectronically compared with the official judge's placement of theanimals, along with the official basis for grading or cuts (scorereductions for incorrectly placed animals within the group) designatedby the judge, and automatically calculates a player's resulting score.The automated electronic score calculation is accomplished by the gameserver, rather than by an executable program residing on the player'spc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention provides for a method of conductinglivestock judging games, which utilize visual images or representationsof animals, in the form of electronic or printed images, and can bepresented to or accessed by one or multiple players by utilizing aplurality of communication media including the Internet, electronicmail, telephone system, and printed material. Players view visual imagesor representations of one or more animals, as well as any ancillaryinformation that may be provided about said animal or animals, toevaluate and rank, select or categorize (judge) each animal based onspecified criteria. Animal attributes that players may consider in theirevaluation of one or more animals may include the physicalcharacteristics of each animal, as well as performance or expectedperformance, genetic background, usefulness for a certain purpose, andother information associated with each animal. This invention provides ameans for one or more official judges, selected by the game operator, toview and judge the animal(s) being displayed and provide commentsjustifying their placement or selection decisions. The present inventionalso provides a means for judge placements and comments to be stored inan integral centralized database.

[0016] The present invention provides for a method of enabling playersto enter their animal placements, ranking assignments, selections orcategorizations, as well as player comments justifying why player soranked the animals, into an integrated centralized database. The presentinvention provides a means for each player to view game rules associatedwith each type of livestock judging game, and also provides a means fora score to be generated for each player in conjunction with each game inwhich player participates, with each score being based upon specificscoring rules. Other means of determining player scores may also beutilized. The present invention also provides for a method for eachparticipating player to view his or her respective score in each game inwhich the player has participated, and read or listen to the officialjudge's animal placements and comments concerning a particular game andclass of animals. This invention also allows each player to viewstatistics relating to his or her scoring performance over varying timeperiods, and enables players to compare their scores with those of otherplayers. The present invention also provides for awards, prizes orscholarships to be awarded to players based on player scores or otherspecified criteria.

[0017] The five (5) primary elements of the invention are:

[0018] (1) Multiple means for players to view, evaluate and rank suchanimal images for various apparent or expected phenotypic, genetic orcarcass characteristics, and to designate such observed, expected orinferred characteristics as being positive, neutral, or negativecompared to that which is generally accepted as ideal or a standard ofdesirability within the livestock industry, and in some cases, to rankor place groups of similar livestock in a player-selected order frombest to worst. Further, a means is provided for players to entercomments about their selections or ranking designations, the livestockthey evaluated, their experience or feelings during the evaluationprocess and about the judges and official rankings, selections anddesignations, into an interactive database.

[0019] (2) Computerized means of archiving player placements, rankingsdesignations, selections and comments correspondent to the multiplicityof livestock evaluation activities in which they participate.

[0020] (3) Player scoring systems corresponding to the multiplicity oflivestock judging and evaluation activities offered, using multiplemeans of data processing and compilations to determine player scores, orother relative measures of successful designations, when compared toofficial characteristic or animal designations provided by an officiallivestock judge, average or other aggregation of player designations, orother selected means to identify a certain set of designations which areconsidered right or correct.

[0021] (4) Multiple means of communicating game results to players, anda means for players to track their performance or scores over a periodof time.

[0022] (5) Multiple means of offering prizes, such as cash, merchandiseand scholarships, to winning players, based upon their scores, or uponsome randomized selection means dependent on other criteria, such astheir participation during a certain period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Livestock judging is a well-known activity, which has beencommonplace in the United States and around the world for centuries. Itremains popular today for major livestock species, such as beef cattle,dairy cattle, horses, swine, and sheep. Traditional Livestock judgingevents, referred to as “shows,” involve the physical assembly of similarclasses of live animals (which are grouped by specie, and may also befurther grouped by sex, breed, purpose, age, and other factors) frommultiple owners at a common location for viewing and evaluation by oneor more judges. In some instances, handlers parade individual animals inan arena, or similar setting, while the designated judge(s) evaluatesthe animals based on one or more characteristics, such as physicalfeatures, performance, genetic attributes, and other factors. In otherinstances, grouped animals stand stationary when the designated judgeevaluates them. The judge “places” (i.e. judges or ranks) the group ofanimals from best animal to worst animal, according to generallyaccepted judging standards, specific to each animal specie. The judge(s)also explains the rankings he/she made during the evaluation process byorally expressing the good and bad characteristics he/she observed aboutthe animals in the class or group. Comments of the judge in this regardare often referred to as “reasons.”

[0024] Prizes are typically awarded to the owners and/or presenters oftop-placing animals. Such awards may include cash, merchandise,promotional opportunities, trophies, ribbons, or some form of publicrecognition for their accomplishment in raising or presenting one ormore show-winning animals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is a symbolic schematic diagram depicting theinfrastructure within which the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is practiced, including its main components, and describingthe general method by which the livestock judging games may be accessed,viewed, played and otherwise utilized and managed.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates the preferred embodimentof the process by which a player may access and play a given livestockjudging game and review other game-associated information.

[0027]FIG. 3 is a flow diagram describing the features of a “PickTraits” game and illustrating the process by which said game may beplayed by a player.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram describing the features of a “MatchAttributes” game and illustrating the process by which said game may beplayed by a player.

[0029] FIGS. 5 is a flow diagram describing the features of a “ScaleCharacteristics” game and illustrating the process by which said gamemay be played by a player.

[0030]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram describing the features of a “Fix-ItShop” game and illustrating the process by which said game may be playedby a player.

[0031]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram describing the features of a “Keep orCull” game and illustrating the process by which said game may be playedby a player.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the said games are played via theInternet using World Wide Web technology, although any communicationmedium or combination of communication media could be used, includingconventional Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs),electronic Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs), telephone system, facsimile,United States Postal Service, and print media.

[0033]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting the overall operationalstructure of the present invention where player 10 utilizes acommunication interface 20 to access competitive livestock judging game30 operated by game operator 40. A player may be presented with optionsconcerning different games available for play 50, such as “Keep or Cull”51, “Pick Traits” 52, “Match Attributes” 53, “Scale Characteristics” 54,“Fix-it Shop” 55, and various games for youth (kids) 56. A player mayalso be presented with options relating to information contained indatabase 60, including the opportunity to change player contactinformation 61, and view data associated with player's past judgingactivities, including previous animal rankings or designations 62. In apreferred embodiment, a player may view official judge placingsregarding any particular animal or animals associated with past orcurrent livestock judging games that are being or have been conducted bythe game operators 63. In one embodiment, a player may also view his orher past scores 64 and review details associated with past livestockjudging games 65. In some embodiments, a player may view images oflivestock 66 that are currently on display as part of an active judginggame. A player may also view images of livestock that were in previouslivestock judging game classes. Present and past game rules may beaccessed and reviewed by the player 67 in order to better understand howindividual games are played. A player may also read biographicalinformation about official judges 68 that are currently or havepreviously provided official livestock placings in conjunction with oneor more games. In another embodiment, the game operator may select oneor more official game judge from among a group of players. In anothersuitable approach, the game operator may use as the “official judge”those judgment placements that represent those placements orcategorizations that are statistically most common among players. Someembodiments may allow the player to access information about prizes andprize winners of past or present games 69. In another suitable approach,the player may only be able to review what prizes were awarded inassociation with a particular game on a specific date. In someembodiments, the type of prize awarded to players under the age ofeighteen (18) may be in the form of a scholarship, gift certificate, orsome form of recognition.

[0034]FIG. 2 is a general flowchart depicting an embodiment of themanner in which a player may access and play one or more livestockjudging games. In some embodiments, a player may utilize a communicationinterface, such as the Internet, to establish a communication link withthe livestock judging game operator 70. A player may provide a uniquepre-assigned username and password that identifies the player to thegame operator 70. In a preferred embodiment, a player uses a mouse,trackball, keyboard, or other appropriate input as a means ofcommunicating information and selecting desired game choices. The playermay access and review information pertaining to current, past orupcoming livestock judging games or other activities 71, such as pastscores, judges and official animal placements, prizes awarded, and soon. Some embodiments may allow a player to view images of livestockclasses associated with current or past real-world judging contests withlive animals, such as those related to national, regional, or statelivestock showing and judging competitions. In the preferred embodiment,players may be presented with the opportunity to read game rules, queryscore information, read game-related news and events, and view currentand past official animal placings and comments 71. A player may beenabled to read and post messages or comments pertaining to livestockjudging activities on an electronic message board. A player may alsocheck prize and award information, and select a game in which toparticipate, as well as review other information and options 71. Aplayer may be presented with visual images of one or more animalsassociated with a specific game selected 72, as well as the opportunityto view any information about the displayed animals which may beprovided, and specific game rules and instructions explaining the methodin which player may enter animal rankings, designations and/orselections. After a player places a class of animals or makes otheranimal rankings or designations through an interactive medium, theplayer's choices may be archived in a central database and a player'sscore may be calculated 73. In one embodiment, a player's livestockrankings, selections or designations may be sent from the player'spersonal computer to a server connected to the central game database.This may be done in any manner known in the art. A player may alsodownload a game program written in the form of the “Java”, “Java script”or another language to his or her PC prior to playing any of theavailable livestock judging games. This program may operate on theplayer's computer. When the game player has completed his or her animaljudging selections, the program allows transmission of all selections atonce to the server maintained by the game operator, where the selectionsare recorded in the game database. In another suitable approach, aplayer may participate in one or more of the individual games by viewingprinted images of the animals in media formats such as magazines andnewsletters, and providing his or her animal ranking assignments to thegame operators by way of the Internet, electronic mail, U.S.P.S. mail,or other methods of information conveyance. In some embodiments, aplayer may be offered the opportunity to view his or her score, and seehow his or her score compares with other players scores in the samegroup. A player may also be able to view the official placement of theclass or official designations or selections made by the official judge,as well as access and view and/or listen to any reasons the officialjudge may have included regarding why his or her placements,designations or selections were made 74. A player may choose to exit thecurrent game during or after judging activities are completed and returnto and utilize other options described in area 71. In some embodiments,a player may exit the game completely. Any combination of the approachesdescribed above may also be used, and any other suitable approach mayalso be used.

[0035]FIG. 3. is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a game that maybe called “Pick Traits” or some other name that describes the primaryactivity of the game. A player may be presented with the visual image orrepresentation of one (1) animal 80, as well as an explanation of howthe game is played, how points are awarded, how scores are calculated,and how prizes, if any, may be awarded to players 80. In one embodiment,a player may be presented with a list of six (6) attributes which havesome degree of descriptive relevance to the animal shown 81. In someembodiments, the number of attributes that are presented to a player maybe more or less than six. A player may be enabled to select three (3)descriptions or attributes, from the list of six, that the player feelsmost accurately match or describe the animal shown 81. The player maycommunicate his or her selections such that they are received by thegame operator and entered into the central database 82. In someembodiments, a player's selections may be compared against the officialjudge's selections 83. The player's score may be calculated based on howclosely player selections match the official judge's selections, and theplayer's selections and score may be archived in the central database83. A player may be presented with a visual comparison of his or herselections versus the official judge's selections 84. A player may alsoview his score in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a player may beinformed concerning when the present game will conclude and when playercan check back to determine if player has won a prize or scholarship 85.Any combination of the approaches described above may also be used, andany other suitable approach may also be used.

[0036]FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting the preferred embodiment of a gamethat may be called “Match Attributes” or another term descriptive of thegame's unique characteristics. A player may be presented with visualimages or representations of two (2) animals 90. In some embodiments,more than two animals may be displayed 90. A player may be allowed toview game rules and explanations concerning how the game is played, howpoints are awarded, how scores are calculated, and how prizes, if any,may be awarded to players 90. A player may be presented in someembodiments with an even-numbered list of four (4) to twelve (12)attributes which have some degree of descriptive relevance to theanimals shown 91. A player may be enabled to select each individualattribute and assign the attribute to whichever one of the two animalsshown that the attribute most accurately describes or fits 92, whereby,upon completion, an equal number of attributes are assigned to eachanimal. In some embodiments, a player's selections may be entered into acentral database and compared against the official judge's selections. Aplayer's score may be calculated based on how closely the player'sselections match the official judge's selections 93. Player selectionsand score may be archived. A player may be presented with a visualcomparison of his or her selections versus the official judge'sselections and player's score 94. In some embodiments, a player may beable to view how his or her placements and score compare with those ofother groups of players. A player may be informed of when the presentgame will conclude and when the player can check back to determine ifthe player has won a prize or scholarship, if applicable 95. Anycombination of the approaches described above may also be used, and anyother suitable approach may also be used.

[0037]FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a game that maybe called “Scale Characteristics” or some other term that describes theprimary activity of the game. In one embodiment, a player may bepresented with a visual image or representation of one (1) animal 100.The player may be provided with an explanation of how the game isplayed, how points are awarded, how scores are calculated, and howprizes, if any, are awarded to players 100. A player may be informed ofwhen the present game will conclude and when player can check back todetermine if he or she has won a prize or scholarship, if applicable100. A player may be presented with a list of characteristics which havesome degree of descriptive relevance to the animal shown 101. A playermay be enabled to rank, from one through five, each characteristic basedon how much or how little of that characteristic is exhibited by thedisplayed animal, such that when the player has finished ranking thecharacteristics, a numeric rank has been assigned to each characteristic102. Player ranking selections may be entered into a central databaseand compared against the official judge's selections 103. A player'sscore may be calculated based on how closely the player's rankingselections match official judge selections 104. The player's selectionsand scores may be archived. A player may be presented with a visualcomparison of his or her selections versus the official judge'sselections, and player's score may be accessed and displayed 104. Insome embodiments, a player may be informed of when the present game willconclude and when the player can check back to determine if he or shehas won a prize or scholarship, if applicable 105. Any combination ofthe approaches described above may also be used, and any other suitableapproach may also be used.

[0038]FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the preferred embodiment of a gamethat may be called “Fix It Shop Game” or some other term that describesthe primary activity of the game. A player may be presented with visualimages or representations of one or more animals 110. The player may bepresented with an explanation of how the game is played, how points areawarded, how scores are calculated, and how prizes, if any, may beawarded to winners 110. In one embodiment, a player may be presentedwith a list of at least four (4) physical or genetic characteristicsassociated with each animal shown that may be considered deficiencies orweaknesses 111. In another suitable approach, the number of physical orgenetic characteristics listed may be less than four. In the presentembodiment where four (4) or more characteristics are listed, eachplayer will be enabled to select two (2) or more characteristics, peranimal, that the player believes are the most obvious weaknesses ordeficiencies possessed by each animal(s) shown, such that uponcompletion of player selections, the player has identified and selectedthe two (2) or more characteristics that he or she most need to be“fixed” or improved about each animal shown 112. In some embodiments, aplayer's selections may be entered into a central database and comparedagainst the official judge's selections 113. A player's score iscalculated based on how closely the player's selections match theofficial judge's selections 113. The player's selections and score maybe archived 113. A player may be allowed to view a visual comparison ofhow his or her selections compare with the official judge's selections114. In another embodiment, a player may be able to view how his or herselections compare with other players' selections. A player may beinformed of when the present game will conclude and when the player cancheck back to determine if the player has won a prize or scholarship, ifapplicable 115. Any combination of the approaches described above mayalso be used, and any other suitable approach may also be used.

[0039]FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a game that maybe called “Keep or Cull Game” or some other term that describes theprimary activity of the game. In the preferred embodiment, a player maybe presented with visual images or representations of three or moreanimals 120. The player may be provided with an explanation of how thegame is played, how points are awarded, how scores are calculated, andhow prizes, if any, may be awarded to players 120. A player may beenabled to select two (2) animals from the three or more animalsdisplayed, that the player determines or believes are the two mostsuperior animals of the group based on judging criteria that have beenprovided 121. The player may communicate his or her selections such thatthey are received by the game operator and entered into a centraldatabase 121. In another suitable approach, the player may select morethan two animals from the group of animals displayed, which may numbermore than three. The number of animals selected will always be less thanthe total number of animals displayed. Player selections may be comparedagainst official judge selections 122. A player's score may becalculated based on how accurately player selections match officialjudge selections, or by some other means. A player's selections andscores may be archived, along with any additional comments provided bythe player 122. A player may be informed of when the present game willconclude and when the player can check back to view the official judge'sselections and comments, and player score(s) 123. The player may bepresented with a visual comparison of his or her selections versus theofficial judge's selections, as well as player's resulting score, andwhether the player has won a prize or scholarship, if applicable 124.Any combination of the approaches described above may also be used, andany other suitable approach may also be used.

[0040] While the present invention has been illustrated and describedwith reference to specific embodiments, further modifications andalterations will occur to those skilled in the art within the spirit andscope of this invention.

We claim:
 1. A method of conducting competitive livestock judging gamesfor a plurality of players comprising: (a) Enabling each player to judge(i.e. evaluate) one or a plurality of animals by viewing images or othervisual representations of said animals in electronic or print format;(b) Enabling each player to place (i.e. rank), select or categorize saidanimals based on described ranking or selection protocol and providingmeans for each player to enter his or her placement (i.e. ranking),selection or categorization choices into centralized database; (c)Automatically calculating a score for each player in conjunction witheach game in which player participates, with each score being generatedbased upon specific scoring rules; (d) Storing player placement (i.e.ranking) and selection choices data, and player score data, in acentralized database; (e) Enabling each player to view his or herrespective score and other scoring information regarding each game inwhich player has participated; and allowing players to compare theirscore(s) with other player score(s); (f) Providing one or multiple meansof determining winners and awarding prizes to one or a plurality ofplayers based on player scores or other criteria.
 2. The method of claim1 wherein the animal specie is bovine.
 3. The method of claim 1 whereinthe animal specie is equine.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the animalspecie is ovine.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal specie isporcine.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is conducted viaone or a plurality of communication media including the Internet,electronic mail, print media, telephone, facsimile, interactivetelevision, or other means of display and communication.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: Enabling each player to view and assesssaid animals by viewing images of said animals and comparing theirrespective individual physical characteristics in conjunction with anyancillary information provided about each animal.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising: Presenting player with animal judginginstructions which are based on commonly accepted specie-specificevaluation and ranking protocols or other evaluation and rankingcriteria.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling playerto judge said animals based on said animal ranking and evaluationinstructions and include descriptive comments about said animals. 10.The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling player to conveysaid player-designated ranking and categorization data and any relateddescriptive comments player may add about said animals to the gameoperator by one or a plurality of communication means, including theInternet, electronic mail, and other means of communication.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: A method of storing playerinformation in a centralized electronic database and managing saidinformation correspondent to each player and their participation in saidanimal judging game(s), by providing a database whereby playerinformation, including player-designated animal ranking andcategorization information, player contact information, and other datacan be entered, stored, and analyzed.
 12. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: The provision of a rule-based player scoring system wherebyone or a plurality of methods can be used to determine the correct scorefor each player correspondent to each animal judging game in which eachplayer participates, by comparing how closely the ranking selections andcategorizations of each player match an official judge's rankings, orother suitable comparative scoring method.
 13. The method of claim 1,further comprising: Enabling the communication of individual scoreresults to players by providing one or a plurality of means of enablingplayers to access and view their scores corresponding with one ormultiple said competitive animal judging games by utilizing one or aplurality of communication media including the Internet, electronic mailor other suitable communication means.
 14. The method of claim 1,further comprising: Enabling the communication of the official judge'scomments concerning the explanation and justification which he or sheused to rank, place, or categorize the animal(s) displayed, dependingupon the specific game, by communicating said comments via a pluralityof means, including text, audio clip(s), video clip(s), some combinationthereof, or other suitable means of communication.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: Awarding prizes to one or a plurality ofplayers based on scores earned in playing said livestock judging games,or upon some randomized selection means dependent upon other criteria,such as a player's participation in said games during a specified periodof time.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling playerto pay a fee in exchange for the opportunity to participate in one or aplurality of said animal judging games.
 17. The method of claim 1whereby said animal judging game may be called “Keep or Cull” or someother term descriptive of the game's primary activity, comprising: (a)Enabling one or a plurality of players to view an image or other visualrepresentation of three (3) or more similar animals, and providing anexplanation of how the game is played and how points are awarded and,thus, how scores are calculated, (b) Enabling each player to select two(2) or more animals from among the said three or more animals displayed,which player determines or believes, based upon visual appraisal, arehigher in quality, more useful or productive for a specific purpose, ormore valuable than the other animals displayed, such that uponcompletion of their selection, the classification of “Keep” or “Retain”will be assigned to the said two (2) or more animals chosen as thehighest quality animals, according to specific game rules, and a “Cull”or “Discard” is applied to all remaining, non-selected animals, (c)Enabling each player to communicate said assignments to game operatorsuch that the assignments are entered and stored in centralizeddatabase, (d) Enabling each player to view a comparison of his or herassignments with the assignments made by the official judge, and alsoview any comments included by the official judge regarding why saidassignments were made, (e) Calculating a score for each player basedupon how closely the assignments of each said player match theassignments made by the official judge, whereby ten (10) points areawarded for each correct player assignment, and ten (10) points aresubtracted for each incorrect assignment, and displaying orcommunicating resulting score to respective player, (g) Awarding prizesto one or a plurality of players based on said player scores, or uponsome randomized selection means, dependent only on player participationduring a certain period of time.
 18. The method of claim 1 whereby saidanimal judging game may be called “Pick Traits” or some other termdescriptive of the game's primary activity, comprising: (a) Enabling oneor a plurality of players to view an image or other visualrepresentation of one animal, (b) Providing to each said player a listof two (2) or more phenotypic or implicit genetic characteristics whichhave some degree of descriptive relevance to said animal, and provide anexplanation of how the game is played and how points are awarded and,thus, how scores are calculated, (c) Enabling each player to select one(1) or more of the two (2) or more said listed genetic characteristicsthat appear to most or least closely match the animal shown, andcommunicate said selections such that the selections are entered andstored in a centralized database, (d) Enabling each player to view acomparison of his or her selections with the selections chosen by saidofficial judge, as well as enabling players to read, watch or listen tocomments, if any, included by the official judge regarding why saidselections were made, (e) Calculating a score for each player based uponhow closely said selections made by said player match with theselections chosen by the official judge, and communicating said playerscores to each respective player. (f) Awarding prizes to one or aplurality of players based on said player scores, or upon somerandomized selection means dependent only on their participation in saidgame during a certain period of time.
 19. The method of claim 1 wherebysaid animal judging game may be called “Match Attributes” or some otherterm descriptive of the game's primary activity, comprising: (a)Enabling one or a plurality of players to view images or other visualrepresentations of two (2) similar animals, and provide an explanationof how the game is played and how points are awarded and, thus, howscores are calculated, (b) Providing to each player a list of two (2) ormore phenotypic or genotypic attributes which have some degree ofdescriptive relevance to the said two animals displayed, (c) Enablingeach player to select and assign each said attribute to whicheveranimal, of the two animals shown, that the attribute most closelydescribes or fits, whereby, upon completion, each attribute have beenassigned to an animal, (d) Enabling each player to communicate saidattribute assignments such that said attribute assignments are enteredand stored in centralized database, (e) Enabling each player to view acomparison of his or her attribute assignments with the assignments madeby the official judge, as well as read, watch or listen to any commentsincluded by the official judge regarding why said assignments were made,(f) Calculating a score for each player based upon how closely saidplayer assignments match with the selections chosen by the officialjudge, with a specific number of points being awarded for each correctmatch, and displaying said player respective score, (g) Awarding prizesto one or a plurality of players based on said scores, or upon somerandomized selection means dependent only on their participation in saidgame during a certain period of time.
 20. The method of claim 1 wherebysaid animal judging game may be called “Scale Characteristics” or someother term descriptive of the game's primary activity, comprising: (a)Enabling one or a plurality of players to view an image or other visualrepresentation of one (1) animal and provide an explanation of how thegame is played and how points are awarded and, thus, how scores arecalculated, (b) Providing to each said player a list of two (2) or morecharacteristics, each of which has some degree of descriptive relevanceto said animal displayed, (c) Enabling each said player to rank, fromone through five, a characteristic based on how much or how little ofeach said characteristic is exhibited by said displayed animal, suchthat upon completion of characteristic ranking, a numeric rank of one,two, three, four or five has been assigned to each specificcharacteristic, (d) Enabling each said player to communicate saidranking assignments such that the assignments are entered and stored incentralized database, (e) Enabling each said player to view a comparisonof his or her characteristic ranking assignments with the rankingassignments made by the official judge, as well as enabling players toread, watch, or listen to any comments included by the official judgeregarding why said ranking assignments were made, (f) Calculating ascore for each said player based upon how closely each player's saidranking assignments match with the ranking assignments made by theofficial judge, whereby a specific number of points are awarded for eachcorrect player match, and displaying said score to each respectiveplayer, (g) Awarding prizes to one or a plurality of players based onsaid scores, or upon some randomized selection means dependent only ontheir participation in said game during a specified period of time. 21.The method of claim 1 whereby said animal judging game may be called“Fix-it Shop” or some other term descriptive of the game's primaryactivity, comprising: (a) Enabling one or a plurality of players to viewan image or other visual representation of an animal or animals, andprovide an explanation of how the game is played, how points areawarded, and how scores are calculated, (b) Presenting each player witha list of at least four (4) physical or genetic characteristicsassociated with each animal shown that may be considered deficiencies orweaknesses, (c) Enabling each said player to select two (2) or morecharacteristics, per animal, that player believes are the most obviousweaknesses or deficiencies possessed by each animal(s) displayed, suchthat upon completion of player selections, the player has identified andselected the two (2) or more characteristics that most need to be“fixed” or improved about each animal displayed to make said animal moredesirable based on implicit or explicit criteria, (d) Enabling eachplayer to communicate said selections such that they are entered andstored in centralized database, (e) Enabling each said player to view acomparison of his or her selections with the selections made by theofficial judge, as well as read, watch, or listen to any commentsincluded by the official judge regarding why said selections were made,(f) Generating a score for each said player based upon how closely eachplayer's said characteristic selections match the selections made by theofficial judge, (g) Awarding prizes to one or a plurality of playersbased on the highest scores, or upon some randomized selection meansdependent only on their participation in said game during a specifiedperiod of time.
 22. The method of claim 1 whereby one or more of saidanimal judging games may be simplified and offered under the label of“Just For Kids” or some other term descriptive of the game's intendedprimary audience.